WORLD AIDS DAY TESTING DAY, HEALTH FAIR & CELEBRATION

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On December 1, 2008, Solano County Health & Social Services, Planned Parenthood: Shasta-Diablo Community Services & Education Department, Dixon Family Practice Health Education Department, and La Clinica will hold a World AIDS Day Testing Day, Health Fair & Celebration at the Health & Social Services offices in Vallejo at 355 Tuolumne Street from 11 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The goal is to provide rapid HIV testing to a minimum of 50 low-income clients who come to the clinic for a variety of services. Clients will be able to get their test results in 20 minutes, and counselors will be available to instruct participants on ways they can reduce their risk of acquiring the virus, and also to refer clients to services should they test positive.

In addition to testing, a variety of health, educational and social service providers will staff informational tables to outreach to and educate participants about a host of community services. In addition to the agencies listed above, the Solano Disparities Coalition will reach out to African Americans who are most likely to suffer from stroke, heart attack, and diabetes and are most at-risk to develop reproductive cancers, and support them in seeking preventative treatment. For example, cervical cancer, which should be completely preventable by regular Pap tests, disproportionately affects African-Americans. Studies show that late diagnosis and lack of access to quality medical treatment are important reasons for higher mortality rates for African-American women from both breast and cervical cancer. Representatives from Solano College are on board to provide information about the educational and vocational programs offered at their campuses in Vallejo, Fairfield and Vacaville.

At 6 p.m., staff from Solano County Health & Social Services, Planned Parenthood: Shasta-Diablo Community Services & Education Department, Dixon Family Practice Health Education Department, and La Clinica will join members of the Solano AIDS Coalition for a candlelight vigil at the Town House Cocktail Lounge at 401 Georgia Street in Vallejo. Educators will again be on hand to outreach to and educate participants about a host of community services available locally. There will be speeches by local dignitaries and those whose lives have been affected by the virus. At 9 p.m., the Town House will host a drag show. Proceeds from this event will go the Planned Parenthood's HIV emergency fund.

For additional information about Vallejo's World AIDS Day event, contact Jo-El Schult, Community Health Educator at 707-561-7791.